Binturongs, or bearcats, are unique Southeast Asian viverrids with strong scent marking behaviors and arboreal lifestyles that require specific enrichment and habitat design in zoo settings.
Binturong welfare in captivity is shaped by their unusual combination of arboreal locomotion and strong scent-marking motivation. Without appropriately tall, complex climbing structures, binturongs cannot express the movement patterns their anatomy is designed for, and ground-level habitation is a significant welfare compromise. Scent marking is a strongly motivated behavior in binturongs, and environments that allow marking on varied substrates engage natural behavioral expression. Their frugivorous dietary preference means that fruit variety and quality in the captive diet is both a nutritional and behavioral welfare consideration. Binturongs are generally solitary animals that tolerate limited social contact, requiring careful management of any conspecific introductions to prevent stress from unwanted proximity.